I hate to admit it but I snapped a ventilator ball off one of my lighthouses. Any tips on how to repair it? Should I try crazy glue, epoxy?

You're not the first to do that, Carol!

If you have a clean break - that is the broken piece fits perfectly back in place, superglue works. Just don't use so much that when you put the pieces together, it oozes out onto the outside.

I also had that happen a few years ago. And like John said, if it's a clean break, superglue works great! If you didn't know any better when looking at the piece, you won't be able to tell!
[This message has been edited by Randy Kremer (edited 05-03-2002).]

I had the same thing happen and I also used superglue. I used the one that is in a gel state, it's easier to work with and doesn't leak out all over the place. Might want to give that some thought. A tiny bit works well.

Bert

Super glue is the way to repair it if it is a clean break. If it is not a clean break and there are chips of plaster missing then you have to go to a more extreme method. I had a ball break off a piece as I was placing the piece back into my curio and hit the ball on the shelf above. The ball shattered and was I sick. I was talking to a hobby shop owner and he suggested buying an assortment of wood/plastic beads for stringing and find the one closest to the size of the original ball without going over the original size. This is important not to exceed the original ball size as the cement you use in the next step will increase the size of the bead depending on the amount of cement you use. He suggested using model cement/epoxy cement and placing the bead on top of the broken ball area let the cement run down over the bead until it comes in contact with the roof. This will form a skin over the bead that will be perfectly rounded when it dries. The next part is the hard part and that is finding a matching paint to color the bead while matching the original color of the roof. This can also be accomplished in a hobby store as there assortment of paint in colors is wide spread. When it is painted, only you and your hairdresser will know the truth.

[This message has been edited by flacoastie (edited 05-03-2002).]

Ventilator balls on many of the newer pieces are plastic to begin with. Hunting Island, Boca Grande, Grand Haven, Faulkner's Island, Rock of Ages, Sturgeon Bay are some. I'm sure there are others. This could make using plastic bead replacements even easier.
Dave

Does anyone have any good suggestions for disposing of pieces with minor breaks? I would hate to throw them away, but I have a Fire Island missing a chimney and a Sea Girt missing a post on the porch. I have since obtained replacements for both. I imagine a skilled model builder could make both appear just about perfect.

I suggest you offer them at "giveaway prices" in the Marketplace with the above explanation so no one is dissappointed. They could become an important part of someone's collection who can't afford them at current market pricing.

------------------


[This message has been edited by pharologst (edited 05-11-2002).]

I agree George. I know for a fact that at a low price for Sea Girt, it would sell! My piece had a missing post on the porch. With a little patience, I was able to replace it and nobody but me would ever know the difference!

Sounds like a good idea- keep an eye out for them.